As a Roedean schoolgirl, Pip Tattersall was renowned for her determination, enthusiasm and sportsmanship.

So it came as no surprise to her teachers to hear of her bid to change the face of British military history by becoming the first woman commando.

The only surprise for them was the news she had failed to make the grade, just one week before the end of a gruelling two-month course.

Pip, known as Tattie in her schooldays, was the school games captain and played hockey and lacrosse for Sussex until she left school in 1992.

Her games teacher Annie Romanov, head of physical education, said: "She was a really great, energetic enthusiastic girl. I'm really sad she didn't make it. I couldn't believe it when I heard she had failed.

"I thought if anyone could do it, she could. She had a lot of initiative, that's for sure."

Tattie was one of three women attempting to win the right to wear the Royal Marines green beret.

Captain Claire Phillips, 28, and Lance Corporal Joanna Perry, 29, had already pulled out of training by the end of the first month.

Most entrants drop out weeks before the end of the course, which is thought to be among the world's toughest. Of the 63 who started out at the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone, Devon, only 38 remain.

The non-stop physical tasks range from a nine-mile speed march followed by a 50 metre swim in full battle kit to a 30-mile march and an assault course.

But it wasn't Captain Tattersall's physical fitness that let her down. She had already proved she could outrun most of the male hopefuls.

Ultimately, Tattie didn't pull through because she didn't meet the standards set for weapon maintenance and camping skills.

The challenge of cooking and caring for herself and her kit in the harsh terrain proved too much.

Brigadier Andrew Pillar, commandant of the Devon training centre, said: "From the outset it was apparent that Captain Tattersall was an extremely competitive individual who had prepared thoroughly for the physical challenges of the course.

"Regrettably she has not responded as well to the equally vital requirements of the field training aspects of the course.

"She is not alone in that respect and another two male recruits did not meet the standards required in the final stages.

"All of them are eligible to attempt a future course and they will be made most welcome to do so."

Pip Tattersall, 26, was active on the sixth form committee and enjoyed both art and theatre when she was at Roedean.

Alison and Brian Evans, the house mistress and master at Lawrence House where Tattie lived as a sixth former, both remember her well.

Alison said: "She liked things to be organised and ordered, not just for herself but for the other girls too.

"When she first came to Lawrence House, she asked if she could change her room because she didn't like it. We explained it would be difficult so she went away and thought about it. When an opportunity came up a few weeks later to swap, she said she was happy where she was.

"She said she had decided to like her room and now nothing would drag her away from it. It was just like her to turn something negative into something positive."

Major Paul Haradine of the Ministry of Defence said Tattie had almost rewritten military history.

As a commando himself, Major Haradine said the course was the hardest thing he had ever had to do in his life.

He said: "I hope she will try again. It will be great to see a female pass the course, which will take the mystique away.

"Had she passed, it would have rewritten British history and it could still happen."